Johannes Thrul, Juliann Saquib, Faisal Al-Zabidi, Nahlah Alsogaih, Saud Abdulaziz Alomairah, Dahlia Aljuboori, Fernanda Gushken, Laura K. Clary, Michelle Colder Carras, Michelle R. Kaufman, Vincent G. van der Rijst, Anouk Tuijnman, Antonius J. van Rooij, Fahad S Albeyahi, Nazmus Saquib
The global use of social media and video games has increased rapidly, especially among young people. The current study conducted a national survey with high school students in Saudi Arabia to identify the prevalence of Social Media Disorder (SMD) and Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and associations with social and mental wellbeing. Cross-sectional survey data were collected in 28 schools and 7 major regions across Saudi Arabia in 2024. The total sample included 2,990 high school students (M=16.8 years old, 50.3% female). We calculated several prevalence rates for SMD and IGD based on different Likert-scale cutoffs (stringent vs. lenient) and number of criteria endorsed (5 vs. 6). We examined the relation of SMD and IGD with loneliness and mental distress using Chi-squared tests, correlations, and multivariable regressions. The different classification approaches resulted in a range of disorder prevalences. For SMD, prevalence ranged from 3.3% (6 criteria stringent) to 20.7% (5 criteria lenient). For IGD, prevalence ranged from 3.4% (6 criteria stringent) to 16.2% (5 criteria lenient). Individuals with SMD and IGD endorsed more loneliness and mental distress compared to those without a disorder. Compared to those with single disorders, those endorsing both SMD and IGD also reported more loneliness and mental distress, although these differences were not always statistically significant. A substantial number of high school students in Saudi Arabia report SMD and IGD and these disorders are associated with loneliness and mental distress. Targeted interventions are needed to prevent these disorders and provide effective treatment. • Prevalence of SMD ranged from 3.3% to 20.7% among Saudi high school students. • Prevalence of IGD ranged from 3.4% to 16.2%, varying by classification approach. • SMD and IGD were associated with increased loneliness and mental distress. • Girls had higher SMD rates; boys had higher IGD rates in lenient classifications. • Combined SMD and IGD was associated with greatest wellbeing challenges.